National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
For Those in Peril - offcuts
The men, the inflatable boat and the equipment that help keep those in peril on the sea around Aberystwyth safe.
From the collection of:
Overview
Support for those in peril on the sea may come from the Eternal Father of the seafarer’s hymn and/or lifeboat crews and will also always include people further afield who raise the funds to buy the boats. Aberystwyth’s inshore, inflatable lifeboat, the first of its kind in the UK, was paid for by patrons of The Rising Sun pub, London EC4. These mute off-cuts from a sound film as yet untraced, show the crew, the old lifeboat station, the pre-marina harbour and town landmarks.
Lighter and quicker to launch than a wooden, offshore or all weather lifeboat (ALB), an inshore, inflatable lifeboat (ILB) can be crewed by just 2 people, no coxswain needed. It is suitable for the type of call-outs that Aberystwyth usually receives – incidents close to shore often involving visitors and children. The 3 crew seen are David Jenkins, Mike Price and Ralph Kenyon. Baden P Davies, coxswain of the ‘Aquila Wren’ (ALB) 1954-61 and docker at Aberystwyth harbour in pre-WWI days, is seen in close-up. The RNLI awarded him the Thanks of the Institute inscribed on Vellum for the rescue of three people from a fishing vessel in 1954. John Nicholls, seen in the sailboat, was the station’s last coxswain.
Related
Watch for free
Miriam Conquers Pendinas Miriam Conquers Pendinas
Home movie 1969 4 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Onwards and upwards goes toddler Miriam Jones, her little legs taking her to the very top of Aberystwyth's hill fort, Pen Dinas.
Watch for free
Aberystwyth Carnival, June 1975 Aberystwyth Carnival, June 1975
Home movie 1975 4 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Children dressed as double yellow lines indicate that parking in Aberystwyth has been an issue across the centuries!
Watch for free
Mackerel Fishing, Tanybwlch Mackerel Fishing, Tanybwlch
Home movie 1965 2 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
A shoal of mackerel has drawn hordes of fishermen and women to Tanybwlch beach, Aberystwyth, on a warm summer's evening.
Watch for free
Victor H Williams' Family - Aberystwyth 1967 Victor H Williams' Family - Aberystwyth 1967
Home movie 1967 2 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Victor Williams returns to his roots for a holiday that offers trampolines, donkey rides and dodgem-type cars for his daughters to enjoy.
Watch for free
Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru - trysordy'r genedl Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru - trysordy'r genedl
Amateur film 1937 15 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Behind the scenes at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth: as readers enter by the front door, acquisitions arrive by lorry at the back.
Watch for free
Aberystwyth Post Office Aberystwyth Post Office
Non-Fiction 1960 3 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Snapshot of the postal service as it was run c.1960 at the now defunct but purpose-built Aberystwyth Post Office building (1906-2016).
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.